Feeding hermits

[Jlobo]

I have a newly cycled 12 gal Eclipse and I introduced 6 hermits 5 days ago. Everyone is doing great, with the exception of one scarlet, not sure what's wrong with it. Not as active and doesn't seem to be eating off the live rocks and sand constantly like the others. Anyhoo, I know that a big problem for a lot of people new to the hobby is overfeeding. I want to make sure to correct any bad habits before I get my clown goby later on. So, the hermits eat algae like crazy but I also have some pellet food to supplement with. Question: How much and how often do I feed the pellets??

[sneeyatch]

Personally I wouldn't feed them any supplemental foods - if you have live rock with algae growth. They're little guys with little bellies. If you're wanting to feed them, I would only do a few small pellets maybe once a week at most.

[Uncle Salty 05]

It may be preparing to molt.
Hermits get very lethargic before and immediatley after molting. If you find what you think is a dead crab but everyone is accounted for that's what it was.

[jokim]

I had that, didnt move really for 3-4 days in the sand bed. after that he moves around and like to stick to one place. right now he is hiding inside my gsp.

do you think he might be preparing to molt but isnt cuz there isnt any other shells?

[Jlobo]

Yes, I think it is possible he is getting ready to molt, but this if my first experience with them. What worries me is that I specifically asked the lady who scooped these guys out of their tanks at the LFS if I needed to grab extra shells and she said not for a while. I thought that sounded very strange.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Unless he has outgrown it they can molt and go right back in the same shell.
Does he look like he is a tight fit?
The LFSs down here sell empty shells super cheap. (like a handful for a buck)
I can get them free at the beach.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Yes, I think it is possible he is getting ready to molt, but this if my first experience with them. What worries me is that I specifically asked the lady who scooped these guys out of their tanks at the LFS if I needed to grab extra shells and she said not for a while. I thought that sounded very strange.

if it can draw back to where you can't see it there is plenty of room.
If it can't it might need a new shell.

[Jlobo]

He still has room in his current shell then. Hopefully he is getting ready to molt and isn't sick. Thanks everyone! Such a big help!

[Jlobo]

He molted and went back into the same shell! Yay!